Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1356169
I N T H E N E W S B M & T ••• March/April 2021 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 6 KKD TOURISM ADVISORS ARE AT THE VANGUARD OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY REBOOT Veteran DMO Execs Say that Tourism Recovery and Destination Development Will Trend Over the Next Three Years Due to the Pandemic Tourism Advisors, a DMV-area consultancy comprised of DMO veteran execs is breaking ground in the areas of tourism recovery and destination development. Kris Smith, Karin Aaron, and David Jackson (KKD), whose combined experience in the destination marketing industry exceeds 100 years, believe that this will be the dual focus of the tourism industry post-pandemic. "The global pandemic has opened the doors for new and advanced thinking," said David Jackson (CMP, HMCC) managing partner with KKD Tourism Advisors who served as Vice President of Sales for the Pocono Mountains Convention and Visitors Bureau. "Our team is strategically set-up to offer assistance and guidance over the short and long haul, depending on the clients' needs." Americans with passports have postponed or canceled travel plans, and as of now, only nine countries are accessible without restric- tions. The pandemic has impacted tourism activities, including sports. Karin Aaron and Kris Smith had successfully partnered pre-pandemic to help the City of Newark (NJ) secure the NCAA's 2025 Men's Basketball Tournament. "A targeted strategic plan is critical to how we influence demand and rebuild economic impact," said Karin Aaron (CTA, CSEE), former President and CEO of the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau (GNCVB). "Covid-19 will forever change the way cities market their destinations, and we will be there to help them to design winning formulas." The consultancy advocates "Leading tourism destinations in developing safe, AUTHENTIC visitor experiences while driving economic recov- ery," and also offers services including Cross-Cultural Sales & Marketing and Tradeshow/Exhibit Consultation and Representation. Kris Smith (CSA, CSEE), who most recently served as the Director of the Detroit Sports Commission, says that cities and DMOs working with KKD are favorable business decisions. "You're getting the value of over 100 years of tourism/hospitality experience at your fingertips without the cost and expense of salary, benefits, and training," he added. "We have the expertise to ask the right questions and develop strategies that reach goals and set standards for the road ahead. We are not going to just write the playbook for you. We are also going to stand with you and get it done!" To learn more about KKD Tourism Advisors, go to kkdta.com . CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT WELCOMED PROFESSIONAL CONVENTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION CONVENING LEADERS (PCMA CL'21) HUB AT CAESARS FORUM Caesars Entertainment welcomed Professional Convention Management's (PCMA) Convening Leaders conference recently. The conference was the second meetings industry event to be held at the 550,000-sq. ft. CAESARS FORUM located at the center of the Las Vegas Strip. "We are pleased to host PCMA CL '21 at CAESARS FORUM," said Caesars Entertainment Vice President of Sales Lisa Messina, as she wel- comed the group on Jan. 13 in the 100,000-sq. ft. Forum Ballroom. "Planners traveled from across the country to experience a live conference with us. PCMA content was live streamed and complimented by a robust program featuring the best of Caesars Entertainment and Las Vegas." The program included a daily PCMA keynote session and curated educational sessions. Planners experienced new and exciting activations, all physically-distanced, both with Caesars Entertainment and around Las Vegas, including Pink Jeep tours to Red Rock National Canyon, Hoover Dam and the Mob Museum. In the evenings, planners enjoyed a gala dinner in the Versailles Ballroom at Paris Las Vegas, and a private, live musical extravaganza by "America's Got Talent" Finalist Daniel Emmet, as well as a sampling of the classic New York Italian cuisine at Rao's at Caesars Palace. Keeping health and safety top of mind, Caesars Entertainment also featured evening programming for PCMA attendees that included a behind-the- scenes tour of Allegiant Stadium – home of the Las Vegas Raiders, – cocktails and city vistas at the new downtown Circa Hotel, and an illuminated walk down Vegas history at the Neon Museum. The program concluded with Lisa Messina announcing that PCMA selected CAESARS FORUM for its 2022 program, followed by a perform-